Previewing the weekend's playoff games on TV

Dec. 7, 2012
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Old Dominion quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who also is second on the Monarchs in rushing, needs 208 passing yards Saturday to match the FCS season record of 4,863 set by Steve McNair of Alcorn State in 1994. / Michael Reilly, AP

Synopsis: These teams also met in the quarterfinals a year ago, but that was on the Bearkats' field where they prevailed 49-13 en route to the FCS championship game. The Bobcats hope the change of venue will mean a different result. SHSU is a run-first team, with RB Tim Flanders leading the way with a Southland Conference-best 1,252 yards and 17 TDs. But Montana State's ground defense is solid, with LB Na'a Moeakiola setting the tone up front and S Jody Owens providing secondary support. Any air cover Bearkats QB Brian Bell can lend would be a plus on what will likely be a chilly night in Bozeman. Sam Houston's run defense is just as stingy, with hard-hitting S Darnell Taylor and LB Jesse Beauchamp leading the charge. Bobcats QB DeNarius McGhee will look to compensate by making use of WR Tanner Bleskin. The winner will meet Wofford or defending national champ North Dakota State next weekend in the semifinals.

FCS quarterfinals: Georgia Southern (9-3) at Old Dominion (11-1)

When/TV: Saturday, noon ET/ESPN.

Surface: Artificial.

Sagarin difference: Georgia Southern by 2.44.

Synopsis:

This is also a rematch of a 2011 playoff game as ODU, in its last go-round in the FCS before beginning its FBS transition next season, looks to avenge last year's road loss to the Eagles. The spirit of Erk Russell lives on at Georgia Southern, where option football remains an art form. Now at the controls is QB Jerick McKinnon, who has accounted for 1,478 yards and 15 rushing TDs on his own this season. When he pitches, it's usually to RB Dominique Swope, who has found the end zone 14 times. The Monarchs take the opposite approach with an up-tempo aerial attack directed by sensational sophomore QB Taylor Heinicke, who has thrown for 41 TDs while completing 68.6% of his 535 pass attempts. His top targets are WRs Nick Mayers (1,083 yards, 14 TDs) and Larry Pinkard (747 yards, 7 scores). Any defensive stops will likely be the result of takeaways, and Eagles CB Lavelle Westbrooks and ODU DT Chris Burnette figure to be involved if they occur. Up next for the winner of this contest will be Eastern Washington or Illinois State.

Southwestern Athletic Conference championship in Birmingham, Ala.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff (9-2) vs. Jackson State (7-4)

When/TV: Saturday, 1 p.m. ET/ESPNU.

Surface: Artificial.

Sagarin difference: UAPB by 2.60.

Synopsis: Jackson State is going for its first SWAC title since 2007, when the Tigers outgunned Grambling 42-31 in the title contest. The Golden Lions are making their second appearance in this event seeking their first league crown. UAPB enters on a six-game winning streak, while the Tigers have won five in a row since an Oct. 6 loss to these same Golden Lions. UAPB is the SWAC's top rushing team, with RBs Justin Billings and Dennis Jenkins doing most of the damage. QB Benjamin Anderson can mix in some throws, most often to WR Ladarius Eckwood. But he also has 11 picks and will have to steer clear of Tigers' CB Qua Cox. Akron transfer Clayton Moore has taken the QB reins for Jackson State. His primary weapons are WR Rico Richardson, who has 1,086 receiving yards with 10 TDs, and TB Rakeem Sims, averaging 5.1 yards a carry. LB Bill Ross is UAPB's defensive leader.

Jeff Sagarin's power ratings show the relative strength of teams. Where applicable, 2.87 points were added to the home team's rating to calculate the difference.